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Witness (character)

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The Witness
Twelve005.jpg
Promotional art for The Twelve #5, by Paolo Rivera.
Publication information
PublisherMarvel Comics
First appearanceMystic Comics #7 (Dec. 1941)
Created byStan Lee (writer)
In-story information
SpeciesHuman
Team affiliationsThe Twelve
Notable aliasesJudge
Juror
Avenger of Evil
Abilities

The Witness is the name of at least three fictional characters appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. Of these, the first was published by Timely Comics in the 1940s and the final two by its successor company, Marvel Comics.

Discover more about Witness (character) related topics

American comic book

American comic book

An American comic book is a thin periodical originating in the United States, on average 32 pages, containing comics. While the form originated in 1933, American comic books first gained popularity after the 1938 publication of Action Comics, which included the debut of the superhero Superman. This was followed by a superhero boom that lasted until the end of World War II. After the war, while superheroes were marginalized, the comic book industry rapidly expanded and genres such as horror, crime, science fiction and romance became popular. The 1950s saw a gradual decline, due to a shift away from print media in the wake of television & television shows and the impact of the Comics Code Authority. The late 1950s and the 1960s saw a superhero revival and superheroes remained the dominant character archetype throughout the late 20th century into the 21st century.

Marvel Comics

Marvel Comics

Marvel Comics is an American comic book publisher and the flagship property of Marvel Entertainment, a division of The Walt Disney Company since September 1, 2009. Evolving from Timely Comics in 1939, Magazine Management/Atlas Comics in 1951 and its predecessor, Marvel Mystery Comics, the Marvel Comics title/name/brand was first used in June 1961.

Timely Comics

Timely Comics

Timely Comics is the common name for the group of corporations that was the earliest comic book arm of American publisher Martin Goodman, and the entity that would evolve by the 1960s to become Marvel Comics.

Timely Comics

Publication history

The first Witness debuted in the eight-page story "The League of Blood" in the superhero anthology series Mystic Comics #7 (Dec. 1941),[1][2] during the period fans and historians call the Golden Age of Comic Books. A costumed superhero in this incarnation, the character was created by writer Stan Lee,[3] who wrote the stories under the pen name "S.T. Anley",[1] and an unknown artist. This version of the character appeared in one story each in Mystic #7–9 (Dec. 1941 – May 1942).[4]

Timely Comics house ad for The Witness #1 (Sept. 1948).
Timely Comics house ad for The Witness #1 (Sept. 1948).

A Timely character called The Witness also appeared, in a different costume, as the star of the eponymous comic The Witness #1 (Sept. 1948), in three stories written by Lee and drawn variously by Ken Bald and Syd Shores, with Charles Nicholas providing the cover.[5] The Grand Comics Database lists this character as a different entity than the Mystic Comics version,[5] while Jess Nevins' "A Guide to Golden Age Marvel Characters" considers them the same man.[6] However, according to The Twelve #1, the Witness of World War II was put in suspended animation during the year 1945, suggesting that the two are in fact different characters.[7] This is further confirmed in the Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe A-Z Vol. 14.[8]

This series lasted only one issue, but the character went on to narrate essentially anthological suspense stories in Ideal #4 (Jan. 1949), in a seven-page tale penciled by Gene Colan;[9] Captain America Comics #71–72 (March–May 1949); Amazing Mysteries #32 (May 1949);[10] and Marvel Mystery Comics #92 (June 1949).

The Mystic Comics Witness returned in the 12-issue miniseries The Twelve, by writer J. Michael Straczynski and artist Chris Weston.[11][12]

Fictional character biography

The Witness is a Chicago detective who accidentally shot an innocent man in the line of duty. After serving two years in prison, he attempts to commit suicide. However, a mysterious voice tells him it is not his time, and charges him with the task of seeing a tragedy about to occur beforehand. He will then watch the impending victim for several days to judge if the person deserves saving, in which case he would either try to prevent the tragedy, or simply witness the event without becoming involved.[13] Near the end of World War II, the Witness and a dozen other heroes became trapped by Nazi scientists and placed in suspended animation until they were awoken in the present day. After being re-acclimated into 21st century life, the Witness was seen working with Nick Fury.

Another incarnation of the Witness was merely a passive observer of crime and humanity's foibles, which he would report on a radio program.[14]

Powers and abilities

The Witness possesses some sort of extrasensory perception that allows him to know when or where a crime would be committed, so he can observe it. He is a good unarmed combatant and proficient in access to various handguns.

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First appearance

First appearance

In American comic books and other stories with a long history, first appearance refers to the first issue to feature a fictional character. These issues are often highly valued by collectors due to their rarity and iconic status.

Anthology

Anthology

In book publishing, an anthology is a collection of literary works chosen by the compiler; it may be a collection of plays, poems, short stories, songs or excerpts by different authors.

Mystic Comics

Mystic Comics

Mystic Comics is the name of three comic book series published by the company that eventually became Marvel Comics. The first two series were superhero anthologies published by Marvel's 1930-1940s predecessor, Timely Comics, during what fans and historians call the Golden Age of comic books. The third, simply titled Mystic, was a horror fiction-suspense anthology from Marvel's 1950s forerunner, Atlas Comics.

Golden Age of Comic Books

Golden Age of Comic Books

The Golden Age of Comic Books describes an era of American comic books from 1938 to 1956. During this time, modern comic books were first published and rapidly increased in popularity. The superhero archetype was created and many well-known characters were introduced, including Superman, Batman, Robin, Captain Marvel, Captain America, and Wonder Woman.

Eponym

Eponym

An eponym is a person, a place, or a thing after whom or which someone or something is, or is believed to be, named. The adjectives which are derived from the word eponym include eponymous and eponymic.

Ken Bald

Ken Bald

Kenneth Bruce Bald was an American illustrator and comic book artist best known for the Dr. Kildare and Dark Shadows newspaper comic strips. Due to contractual obligations, he is credited as "K. Bruce" on the Dark Shadows strip.

Jess Nevins

Jess Nevins

Jess Nevins is an American author. Nevins is the author of the Encyclopedia of Fantastic Victoriana and other works on Victoriana and pulp fiction. He is employed as a reference librarian at Lone Star College-Tomball.

Gene Colan

Gene Colan

Eugene Jules Colan was an American comic book artist best known for his work for Marvel Comics, where his signature titles include the superhero series Daredevil, the cult-hit satiric series Howard the Duck, and The Tomb of Dracula, considered one of comics' classic horror series. He co-created the Falcon, the first African-American superhero in mainstream comics; Carol Danvers, who would become Ms. Marvel and Captain Marvel; and the non-costumed, supernatural vampire hunter Blade.

Marvel Mystery Comics

Marvel Mystery Comics

Marvel Mystery Comics is an American comic book series published during the 1930s–1940s period known to fans and historians as the Golden Age of Comic Books. It was the first publication of Marvel Comics' predecessor, Timely Comics, a division of Timely Publications.

J. Michael Straczynski

J. Michael Straczynski

Joseph Michael Straczynski is an American filmmaker and comic book writer. He is the founder of Synthetic Worlds Ltd. and Studio JMS and is best known as the creator of the science fiction television series Babylon 5 (1993–1998) and its spinoff Crusade (1999), as well as the series Jeremiah (2002–2004) and Sense8 (2015–2018). He is also the executor of the estate of Harlan Ellison.

Chris Weston

Chris Weston

Chris Weston is a British comics artist who has worked both in the US and UK comics industries.

Chicago

Chicago

Chicago is the most populous city in the U.S. state of Illinois and the third most populous in the United States after New York City and Los Angeles. With a population of 2,746,388 in the 2020 census, it is also the most populous city in the Midwest. As the seat of Cook County, the city is the center of the Chicago metropolitan area, one of the largest in the world.

Other versions

New Universe

The Witness (Nelson Kohler) is a fictional character appearing in the comic books published by Marvel Comics, as part of the New Universe imprint. The Witness is a ghostly figure, an onlooker drawn to paranormal events.

Fictional character biography

Nelson Kohler was driving when the White Event occurred. He lost control of his car, crashed and was hospitalized, critically ill. He was later declared brain-dead and his life support system was switched off. His body died but his paranormal powers manifested, leaving him a bodiless ghost.

He felt an irresistible pull towards people who were developing paranormal powers, although he could not be seen or heard. Among those whose manifestations he witnessed were characters regularly published in the comic book DP7 (Randy O'Brien, David Landers, Stephanie Harrington, Charlotte Beck, Lenore Fenzl, Jeff Walters, and Dennis Cuzinski). He originally speculated on why he was drawn to these events, but ultimately concluded that there was no reason or pattern to his wanderings. Unable to participate in or affect the events he watched, he declared himself to be an unseen, impartial "witness".[15]

He also felt drawn to the disaster known as The Pitt, after which he had strange experiences with other ghosts and other people seemed to be able to see him.[16]

Powers and abilities

As a specter, Nelson Kohler has complete control over his ectoplasmic form that allows him to fly, turn invisible, pass through solid objects, and overshadow living beings. He is drawn to when and where humans first use their powers or to some other catastrophic event.

The X-Men

A character called the Witness (whose real name is LeBeau) has appeared in X-Men continuity, in XSE #4 (Feb. 1997), Bishop: The Last X-Man #3 & 14 (Dec. 1999 & Nov. 2000), and Gambit & Bishop #2–6 (April–Aug. 2001). The character is hinted to be a future version of Gambit.

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Comic book

Comic book

A comic book, also called comicbook, comic magazine or simply comic, is a publication that consists of comics art in the form of sequential juxtaposed panels that represent individual scenes. Panels are often accompanied by descriptive prose and written narrative, usually, dialogue contained in word balloons emblematic of the comics art form.

Marvel Comics

Marvel Comics

Marvel Comics is an American comic book publisher and the flagship property of Marvel Entertainment, a division of The Walt Disney Company since September 1, 2009. Evolving from Timely Comics in 1939, Magazine Management/Atlas Comics in 1951 and its predecessor, Marvel Mystery Comics, the Marvel Comics title/name/brand was first used in June 1961.

New Universe

New Universe

The New Universe is an imprint from Marvel Comics that was published in its original incarnation from 1986 to 1989. It was the first line produced by Marvel Comics utilizing a pre-conceived shared universe concept. It was created by Jim Shooter, Archie Goodwin, Eliot R. Brown, John Morelli, Mark Gruenwald, Tom DeFalco, and edited by Michael Higgins.

White Event

White Event

The White Event is a fictional occurrence which plays a key role in Marvel Comics' New Universe and newuniversal lines. In 2013, the concept was brought to the mainstream Marvel universe, Earth-616.

The Pitt

The Pitt

The Pitt is a 1987 one-shot comic book written by John Byrne and Mark Gruenwald, and illustrated by Sal Buscema and Stan Drake. It was published by Marvel Comics as part of its New Universe line. The story depicts the total destruction of the city of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, as a result of the careless actions of the wielder of the Star Brand and its immediate 12-hour aftermath. The Pitt was the first full graphic novel published for Marvel's New Universe series.

Gambit (Marvel Comics)

Gambit (Marvel Comics)

Gambit is a fictional character appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics, commonly in association with the X-Men. The character was created by writer Chris Claremont and artist Jim Lee. Drawn by artist Mike Collins, Gambit made his first appearances in The Uncanny X-Men Annual #14 and The Uncanny X-Men #266. Gambit belongs to a subspecies of humans called mutants, who are born with superhuman abilities. Gambit has the ability to mentally create, control, and manipulate pure kinetic energy to his desire. He is also incredibly knowledgeable and skilled in card throwing, hand-to-hand combat, and the use of a bō staff. Gambit is known to charge playing cards and other objects with kinetic energy, using them as explosive projectiles.

X-Men

X-Men

The X-Men are a superhero team appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. Created by artist/co-plotter Jack Kirby and writer/editor Stan Lee, the team first appearing in The X-Men #1. Although initially cancelled in 1970 due to low sales, following its 1975 revival and subsequent direction under writer Chris Claremont, it became one of the most recognizable and successful franchises of Marvel Comics. They have appeared in numerous books, television shows, the 20th Century Fox X-Men films, and video games. The X-Men title may refer to the superhero team itself, the eponymous comic series, or the broader franchise including various solo titles and team books such as the New Mutants, Excalibur, and X-Force. This team of heroes marks a striking resemblance to another superhero team conceived by DC Comics called Doom Patrol, that released three months prior to release of the X-Men.

Source: "Witness (character)", Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, (2023, March 14th), https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Witness_(character).

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References
  1. ^ a b The Witness (Timely Comics) at the International Catalogue of Superheroes
  2. ^ Mystic Comics #7 at the Grand Comics Database
  3. ^ Lamiek Comiclopedia: Stan Lee
  4. ^ Benton, Mike (1992). Superhero Comics of the Golden Age: The Illustrated History. Dallas: Taylor Publishing Company. p. 174. ISBN 0-87833-808-X. Retrieved 8 April 2020.
  5. ^ a b The Witness #1 at the Grand Comics Database
  6. ^ Witness at Nevins, Jess, A Guide to Golden Age Marvel Characters. of latter
  7. ^ The Twelve #1
  8. ^ Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe A-Z Volume 14
  9. ^ Atlas Tales: Ideal #4
  10. ^ Amazing Mysteries #32
  11. ^ SDCC '07: Newsarama.com (no date) Marvel's The Twelve Revealed", by Chris Arrant
  12. ^ Newsarama.com (Aug. 1, 2007): "12 Days of The Twelve: The Witness", by Matt Brady
  13. ^ Mystic Comics #7 (Dec. 1941), The Twelve #5 (July 2008)
  14. ^ The Witness #1 (Sept. 1948) and other comics; see "Publication history"
  15. ^ D.P.7 Annual Vol 1 #1 (January 1987)
  16. ^ The Pitt Vol 1 #1 (April 1988)


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